Writer, book coach and translator, I specialise in copywriting and transcreation, particularly in the fields of lifestyle, travel and technology. I've lived for many years between Britain and Spain and frequently weave the two languages together in my writing as the cultures are woven through my life.
In addition to poetry, which is my first love, I write and translate children’s fiction and am a KOBO best-selling children's author under the pen-name David Aston.
As a writing coach and mentor, I specialise in poetry and non-fiction, particularly working with business experts and helping them on their journey to publication.
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Activities & involvements
As a joint owner of Tantamount creative agency, I’ve worked with freelance creatives, businesses and educators on many projects that combine the need for publishing, design and technology, and through my “From Authority to Authorship” programme, I mentor business experts on their journey to publication.
I have won a number of awards for my poetry, including from Torriano, Barnet, Writing Magazine and NAWG, and my poems have appeared in magazines and anthologies, in schoolbooks, and even in an 11+ test paper!
I was poet-in-residence at TEDx Leamington Spa in 2017, I have performed at festivals and open mics, and I have been an active member of various writers’ groups in the UK, in Spain and online. I am a member of the Poetry Society and led the Madrid Stanza for a number of years. Currently, I am a member of the Zoom Stanza and I also lead the Global Online Stanza.
I am a full member of the Society of Authors and assistant director of the South Warwickshire Literary Festival, a locally-focused community festival, founded in 2021. In addition to my involvement in the event organisation, this year I led a workshop on ekphrastic poetry and hosted the lunchtime open mic session. I also judged the creative non-fiction competition, for the second year running. The Festival has gone from strength to strength and I am looking forward to next year’s event and to judging entries in the poetry category of the 2025 competition.
One of my favourite recent projects was a collaboration with a Spanish friend, which started during the Covid pandemic lockdown and resulted in three independently-published books of Modern Pagan Prayer, as well as a prayer writing workshop, which my co-author Lucía and I delivered for Harvard Divinity School’s Evolving Spiritualities Conference.
Creative vision
I am fascinated by the multi-layered aspects of language revealed through translation and poetry. My creative writing explores the blurred borders between writer and narrator, between translation and creation, between memoir and invention, and between poetry and prayer.
Available for new projects
I offer a range of virtual workshops on poetry and creative writing, and am available for author mentoring (non-fiction) and poetry critique, from single-session consultancy to longer-term arrangements.
I am currently open to commercial copywriting projects and translations, as well as creative collaborations and competition judging (poetry or creative non-fiction).
Projects and memberships
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I am joint owner of Tantamount creative agency, where we provide a full range of assisted publishing and branding services for authors.
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I host the Global Online Stanza, an active virtual poetry group for peer-review, workshopping and general discussion of poetry.
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I am Assistant Director of the South Warks Lit Fest, a local festival whose aim is to promote appreciation of literature & writing in all its forms.
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I am a full member of the Society of Authors, the UK trade union supporting writers, illustrators and literary translators.
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I am a member of the Authors’ Licensing & Collection service, who campaign and advocate for authors to have their rights recognised and respected.
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